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Chris Waddle has suggested that Paul Pogba would be better off returning to Italy or playing in France rather than returning to Manchester United. The 32-year-old midfielder is now free to resume his football career after his 18-month doping ban concluded earlier this month.
Pogba was initially banned for four years, but a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) led to a significantly reduced suspension. Now, the France international is available to sign for a club as a free agent and, unsurprisingly, there have been rumours of a sensational move back to Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim will be active in the first summer of his massive rebuild, but with finances tight before player sales, some fans see Pogba as a potential bargain. However, United’s new recruitment strategy, implemented by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s revamped football leadership team, has pledged to move away from prioritising big-name shirt-sellers.
Ineos have adopted a more long-term approach, with Matthijs de Ligt being the oldest of the new regime’s seven senior signings at just 25. Amorim is also likely to target a different profile to Pogba amid his urgent need for midfield engines who can cover ground at the heart of his 3-4-3 system.
Waddle concurs that the chances of the World Cup winner returning to Old Trafford are slim. Speaking to 10bet, as quoted by the Express, the former England international said: “It’s a hard one. He’s never really done it in England, has he, Paul…
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